Banned book author to appear

Sarah Ockler will participate in library activities.

Aug. 25, 2011

Written by

News-Leader

Ockler

An appearance by the author of a book banned from Republic schools will highlight Banned Book Week activities sponsored by the Springfield-Greene County Library District.

Colorado-based writer Sarah Ockler will take part in several activities during the week observed in late September, library spokeswoman Kathleen O'Dell said.

Ockler will arrive on Sept. 29 and will take part in activities the following two days, O'Dell said.

On July 25, the Republic school board voted to remove Ockler's "Twenty Boy Summer" and Kurt Vonnegut's "Slaughterhouse-Five" from district libraries.

Ockler will talk about how having their books banned affects authors, O'Dell said.

"She'll be here Friday night for a one-person talk about challenges to her books, and that book in particular, but also on the effect the challenges have on an author," O'Dell said.

Ockler also will participate in a "readout" of banned or challenged books at the Library Station and in activities at the Library Center, she said.

Young adult author Chris Krutcher and a representative of the Vonnegut Memorial Library Foundation will take part in a Skype session at the Brentwood Library on Sept. 29, O'Dell said.

In response to the Republic ban, the foundation donated 150 copies of "Slaughterhouse-Five" to Republic students who requested copies.

On her website, Ockler wrote she's looking forward to her trip to Springfield.

"I'm so excited to announce that I'll be traveling to Springfield, MO to participate in Banned Books Week events with the Springfield-Greene County Library District September 30 and October 1!" Ockler wrote.

"The parents, students, teachers, and librarians of Republic and the surrounding areas have been so wonderfully supportive during the year-long challenge and eventual ban of Twenty Boy Summer and Slaughterhouse Five," Ockler wrote.

Along with the appearances by several writers, plans for Banned Book Week activities include a panel discussion involving school superintendents and school board members on how they handle requests to ban books, O'Dell said.